MODIS Cloud Mask and Extension to a MODISVIIRS

MODIS Cloud Mask and Extension to a MODIS/VIIRS Cloud Mask S. Ackerman, R. Frey, B. Holz, S. Platnick Thanks to Atmosphere SIPS, Andy Heidinger Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies University of Wisconsin - Madison

MODIS-VIIRS Cloud Mask (MVCM) • MVCM “philosophy” same as for MODIS cloud mask (MOD 35) • MVCM ingests similar L 1 b bands for VIIRS and MODIS processing (spectral radiance data) • MVCM contains similar output as MODIS (48 bits/pixel) • MVCM output contains confidence of clear sky (Q) values • Algorithm same as MODIS (MOD 35) where possible • Ancillary data similar to MODIS (GDAS, SSTs, LST, etc. ) • Some improvements made over MODIS Collection 6 Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies University of Wisconsin - Madison

MVCM Algorithm Similar to MODIS cloud mask (MOD 35) Improvements on MODIS Collection 6 cloud mask • Solar and viewing zenith angle corrections to 0. 86 µm day ocean cloud test thresholds • Viewing zenith angle corrections to 0. 65 µm day land cloud test thresholds • Surface snow detection improvements in taiga and montane environments Deficiencies from MODIS cloud mask due to fewer spectral bands • Polar night deep inversion/clear sky detection • Polar night cloud detection • Sun-glint clear/cloudy sky discrimination • Ocean night clear/cloudy sky detection (minor impact) Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies University of Wisconsin - Madison

CALIOP Comparison Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies University of Wisconsin - Madison

MVCM Aqua Daytime Percent Cloudy, January 2013 Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies University of Wisconsin - Madison

MVCM NPP Daytime Percent Cloudy, January 2013 Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies University of Wisconsin - Madison

MVCM Aqua – NPP Daytime Percent Cloudy, Difference January 2013 Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies University of Wisconsin - Madison

Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies University of Wisconsin - Madison

Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies University of Wisconsin - Madison

Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies University of Wisconsin - Madison

MVCM Aqua Daytime Percent Cloudy, January 2013 (VZA <= 20 degrees) Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies University of Wisconsin - Madison

MVCM Aqua – VIIRS Daytime Percent Cloudy, January 2013 (VZA <= 20 degrees) Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies University of Wisconsin - Madison

Summary The MVCM is a “work in progress”. (See Poster of R. Frey) Agreement between CALIOP and MVCM Aqua, and between CALIOP and MVCM NPP is reasonable and approaches that between CALIOP and MYD 35 (Aqua MODIS cloud mask). Agreement between MVCM Aqua and MVCM NPP is also reasonable. Refinements in NPP cloud detection thresholds under way for polar and snow covered regions. Differences in monthly values due to instrument differences in fov and scanning. Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies University of Wisconsin - Madison